There are better things to do during the summer months than to stand in a h...

There are better things to do during the summer months than to stand in a hot kitchen preparing food. That's why these handy no-cook side dishes guarantee you less time in the kitchen, and more time to enjoy the outdoors. Simply find the freshest ingredients and assemble; it's that easy.

Picking up already steamed shrimp from the seafood counter of your favorit...

Picking up already steamed shrimp from the seafood counter of your favorite grocery store is a great time saving trick—and it can help keep your oven turned off during the summer months. Thus, these no-cook noodle bowls are packed with fresh flavors and textures, but take mere minutes to assemble. They’re just the low-effort, highly refreshing weeknight-friendly recipe you need during the hottest days of the year.

Chicken and rice make perfect partners for easy, budget-friendly one-dish meals. With kid-friendly flavors and the possiblity of plenty of leftovers, these meals make great additions to your weeknight rotation as well as becoming wonderful packed lunches the next day.

As a holistic lifestyle guide, Cassandra Bodzak believes that the way you b...

As a holistic lifestyle guide, Cassandra Bodzak believes that the way you begin your morning will set the tone for the rest of the day—and for Bodzak, getting a strong start means a fresh, healthy meal and a mindfulness exercise. "When you fuel yourself properly and give yourself a few minute to get centered with your breath you give yourself a competitive advantage on the day," she explained in an email. "Starting off from a calm, positive place and eating foods that genuinely nourish you help you think clearer, improve your mood, and allow you to tune into that inner guidance system we all have within us."Bodzak's book Eat With Intention: Recipes and Meditations for a Life that Lights You Up is full of wholesome plant-based recipes that make for a healthy morning meal, like this pretty foolproof recipe for dairy-free, creamy cashew yogurt. "Just make sure to blend up those cashews well, and it will turn out nice and creamy," she notes. And though Bodzark pairs it with raspberries, she adds, "You can even have fun with different flavors if you want to mix in different kinds of fruits, nuts or even chocolate chips to make it your own special combo."If you really want to make the most of your morning routine, try the meditative exercise that Bodzak has paired with each recipe. They're approachable for everyone, even those who might feel initially self-conscious about pairing their dairy-free cashew yogurt with a side of meditation.
This particular morning meditation is designed to help you let go of your expectations for the day and start to accept the unknown, which is pretty much how Bodzak came up with this yogurt recipe. "When I first started toying around with making an alternative 'yogurt,' I had no idea how it would turn out," she writes in Eat With Intention. "But I soon discovered that cashews make a perfect dairy-free Greek-esque yogurt." The yogurt will keep in your fridge, too, so feel free to make a big batch and eat it throughout the week.There's really no reason not to start the day with this breathing exercise and homemade yogurt—and who knows what you'll be able to come up with, too!Let It Go MeditationSit in a comfortable position, place your palms facing up on your knees, and start breathing in through your nose and out your mouth. Allow your attention to focus on your breath and add the mantra “let go,” breathing in “let” and exhal-ing “go.” When other thoughts come up, let them float by like clouds and keep coming back to your breathing and the “let go” mantra. Continue for 3 minutes, gradually building up to 20 minutes. To close the meditation, take a deep breath in, hold it, and exhale powerfully.Creamy Cashew Yogurt
Recipe reprinted from Eat with Intention by Cassandra Bodzak, courtesy of Race Point Publishing, an imprint of The Quarto Group

Impress your guests with these sophisticated five-ingredient-or-less appetizers. They're elegant, easy, and, because they have so few ingredients, won't break your budget. These recipes range from great dips, fantastic cocktail shrimp platters, or even elegant party crackers. Serve up a great dish of goodies to your guests while making it easy on your budget.

Usher in the fall season with a warm pan of (almost too) easy apple cobbler...

Usher in the fall season with a warm pan of (almost too) easy apple cobbler. For this simple and delicious apple dessert, peeling and slicing the fruit will be the bulk of your workload. The combination of brown sugar and apples yields an exceptionally gooey-rich filling that was made to team up with a buttery, golden crust and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This warm and comforting cobbler is easily made at the last minute, and is always a welcome addition to the holiday dessert spread.

Take one bite of this chocolatey, decadent “clean eating” dessert, you migh...

Take one bite of this chocolatey, decadent “clean eating” dessert, you might not believe that it’s raw, vegan, gluten-free and paleo… but low and behold, you don’t need excessive sugar or other processed ingredients to make a next-level dessert. Easy to prep, and filled with rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor, this vegan dessert is perfect for anyone following a special diet or simply trying to clean their eating habits up a bit. Serve it for a special occasion, or just as a “treat yo-self” indulgence—since there’s no need to crank up the oven, it’s especially ideal to satisfy a summertime sweet tooth.

What better fall-inspired dessert to make than this tahini-glazed pumpkin b...

What better fall-inspired dessert to make than this tahini-glazed pumpkin bundt cake. A medley of fragrant, ground spices enhance the rich sweetness of this incredibly moist bundt cake. Topped with a toasty, perfectly bittersweet tahini glaze, this easy to make and comforting fall dessert is the perfect centerpiece for your next dinner party, Halloween gathering, or special occasion.